• Berlin's 'Moors' Street renamed in honor of philosopher Anton Wilhelm Amo.
• The renaming reflects ongoing efforts to address racism and colonial legacies.
• Civil society has pushed for the change for over 30 years, culminating in this decision.
• The change coincides with the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade.

A central street in Berlin, formerly known as Mohrenstrasse ("Moors' Street"), has been officially renamed to Anton Wilhelm Amo Street after years of debate, signifying a notable shift in how the city addresses its colonial history and racial issues. The name change was first proposed by the Mitte district council in 2020 to honor Amo, who was the first Black philosopher known to have taught at a German university. The adjacent metro station will also receive a new name on Saturday, which coincides with the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade, a date chosen deliberately to emphasize the context of the renaming, according to The Local and Le Monde.

Advocates of the name change highlighted the original title’s problematic nature, arguing that it represents a "racist description for black people," reflecting the derogatory terminology associated with the history of slavery and colonialism. Tahir Della from the group Decolonize Berlin remarked, “It makes clear why the former name is so problematic for many black people in Germany,” reinforcing the critical perspective on Germany's colonial legacy, according to The Local and India Times.

Despite broad support, the renaming faced legal challenges from local residents who sought to halt the process. A last-minute court decision temporarily blocked the name change, but a higher administrative court ultimately overturned this ruling hours later, allowing the renaming to proceed as planned. This sequence of events underscores the tension surrounding the deliberation of public space names and their implications, as highlighted by India Times and Le Monde.

The historical context of the name carries weight, as "Moor" has its origins in the early 18th century during the Atlantic slave trade, with theories about its origin suggesting it might derive from either former slaves or visiting African diplomats. Whatever the exact origin, many identified it as a derogatory term reflecting an ignorant view of Black identities. Della expressed hopes that this renaming serves as an impetus for further discussions regarding other public spaces in Berlin that honor figures from Germany's colonial past, according to India Times, The Local, and Le Monde.